ABSTRACT Objective: Obesity is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Recent studies have shown that aromatase inhibitors may be less effective in women with a high body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between the BMI and plasma estrone and estradiol levels in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer using anastrozole. Methods: In this cohort study, the patients were divided into three groups according to BMI (normal weight, overweight and obese) to compare and correlate plasma hormone levels before starting anastrozole hormone therapy and three months after treatment. Plasma hormone levels were compared for age and use of chemotherapy. Results: A statistically significant reduction in estrone and estradiol levels was observed between baseline and three months after starting the anastrozole treatment (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in plasma estrone and estradiol levels among the BMI groups (p > 0.05), but a significant reduction in plasma estrone levels was observed after three-months' treatment relative to baseline in all groups, as well as a reduction in estradiol in the obese group (p < 0.05). The use of chemotherapy and age > 65 years had no influence on plasma steroid levels. Conclusion: Changes in estrone and estradiol levels in the studied groups were not associated with BMI, chemotherapy or age.

ABSTRACT Many factors can interfere with glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and this patient group has an increased risk of experiencing drug-related negative outcomes (DNO). The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors of unsatisfactory glycemic control and DNO in this group of patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted collecting data from prescriptions and interviews with 100 patients of the Endocrinology Clinic of the Hospital Complex of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Variables associated with unsatisfactory glycemic control were determined and the DNO associated with antidiabetic drugs identified. Age (<65 years) (OR=4.09), family history of diabetes (OR=3.24), use of combined therapy to treat diabetes (2-4 antidiabetic drugs) (OR=5.13) and presence of DNO (OR=5.92) were found to be predictive factors for poor patient glycemic control. DNO were observed in 49% of the patients and were caused predominantly by ineffectiveness in patients with poor glycemic control (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups (satisfactory and unsatisfactory glycemic control) for DNO caused by safety issues (p>0.05). Characterization of the profile of patients with uncontrolled diabetes and of aspects associated with drug treatment can contribute to the planning of interventions to improve patient care.

ABSTRACT Objective: In the dental clinic, the use of local anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors in diabetic patients are still controversial raising some doubts. Thus, the objective of this randomized crossover clinical trial was to evaluate blood glucose, pulse oximetry and heart rate of type 2 diabetic patients when submitted to local anesthesia using prilocaine 3% associated to felypressin 0,03UI / ml (G1) and 2% lidocaine associated to epinephrine 1: 100,000 (G2). Methods: The sample consisted of 20 compensated type 2 diabetic patients (both genders) who were taking oral hypoglycemic drugs. The volunteers underwent two periodontal sessions (scaling) and one of the solutions tested was used in each visit. The cited parameters were evaluated at three different times: before the procedure (T1), 10 minutes after anesthesia (T2) and after 20 minutes (T3). Results: Regarding the blood glucose levels, no statistically significant difference was found in different times between G1 and G2 (p> 0.05). Similarly, regarding pulse oximetry and heart rate, no statistically significant differences were observed in intervals assessed between groups (p> 0.05), presenting values within normal limits. Conclusion: Considering the vasoconstrictors and the volume of anesthetic solution used, the results suggest that the evaluated vasoconstrictors do not alter significantly blood glucose, pulse oximetry and heart rate in compensated type 2 diabetic patients.

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare benzodiazepine (bzd) prescriptions for adults and older adults regarding appropriate use indicator. It is a cross-sectional study for collecting data on patients treated at the City’s Mental Health Clinic in Sorocaba/SP, between March and December 2013. Appropriate use indicators were used: appropriate drug, with adequate posology and period of use; as well as the use of a single bzd, as anxiolytic for less than 3 months in depression treatment with antidepressants, use for less than 2 months if associated to an antidepressant and no use of long-acting bzd in older adults. From the 330 participants, most were women, with a family history of mental disorders and bzd use, without monitoring of a psychologist and using other psychotropic and polypharmacy (p>0.05).The minority of prescriptions had indication for the use of bzd (37.5% for older adults and 32.4% for adults) (p>0.05). Only 5.8% of the prescriptions for older adults and 1.9 for adults were rational (p>0.05). The chronic use was observed in all adults and older adults with depressive and anxiety disorders (p>0.05). A minority of prescriptions for adults and older adults was appropriate.

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare benzodiazepine (bzd) prescriptions for adults and older adults regarding appropriate use indicator. It is a cross-sectional study for collecting data on patients treated at the City’s Mental Health Clinic in Sorocaba/SP, between March and December 2013. Appropriate use indicators were used: appropriate drug, with adequate posology and period of use; as well as the use of a single bzd, as anxiolytic for less than 3 months in depression treatment with antidepressants, use for less than 2 months if associated to an antidepressant and no use of long-acting bzd in older adults. From the 330 participants, most were women, with a family history of mental disorders and bzd use, without monitoring of a psychologist and using other psychotropic and polypharmacy (p>0.05).The minority of prescriptions had indication for the use of bzd (37.5% for older adults and 32.4% for adults) (p>0.05). Only 5.8% of the prescriptions for older adults and 1.9 for adults were rational (p>0.05). The chronic use was observed in all adults and older adults with depressive and anxiety disorders (p>0.05). A minority of prescriptions for adults and older adults was appropriate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical trials comparing lidocaine associated to different epinephrine concentrations are scarce. This study aimed at comparing cardiovascular parameters, anesthetic efficacy and level of discomfort during the injection of two 2% lidocaine solutions associated to 1:100,000 or 1:200,000 epinephrine. METHODS: Participated in this cross-sectional double blind study 30 patients (24.3±4.7 years) who were submitted to anamnesis, vital signs evaluation and baseline threshold measurement of right upper canine tooth. In each clinical session, with 15 days interval, 1.8mL of one of the anesthetic solutions were administered. Anesthetic efficacy was measured with electric stimulation and vital parameters were evaluated in three periods: 5 minutes before, during and soon after anesthesia. At the end of each session, the visual analog scale was applied to evaluate injection pain sensitivity, which was repeated 24h later. RESULTS: All volunteers had satisfactory pressure levels to carry out the trial. There has been no statistically significant differences in systolic blood pressure (p=0.33), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.1505), heart rate (p=0.9464) and oxygen saturation (p=0.9297) considering each local anesthetic solution in each moment (during and after anesthesia). Formulations of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 and 1:200,000 epinephrine have shown no statistical differences for all anesthetic parameters (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering the volume used in this study, decreased epinephrine concentration on lidocaine solution has not affected its clinical efficacy and has not influenced cardiovascular parameters.

INTRODUCTION: Inappropriate use of antibiotics leads to increased levels of bacterial resistance making it difficult to treat upper respiratory tract infections. The appropriate use of these drugs has a fundamental role in controlling resistance and in success of treatment of childhood infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prescription and use of antibiotics for Brazilian children. METHODS: The use of antibiotics in 160 children was monitored in two Primary Health Centers by questionnaires administered to parents and caregivers that assessed the social, demographic and clinical conditions of the children. Furthermore, the antibiotic use pattern was ascertained in these children and compared to the recommendations of the Brazilian and international guidelines. RESULTS: The use of these drugs had an inverse relationship with children breast-fed to six months of age, showing that breast-fed children had a tendency to use less of these drugs. There was great variability in the amoxicillin doses used for upper respiratory infections ranging from 8.2 to 91.9 mg/kg/day. The doses used in most treatments were far below the doses recommended in the Brazilian and international guidelines (50% and 97%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although there are guidelines for the use of these medications, compliance is still very low, leading to under dosage and therapeutic failures. It is essential for pediatricians to be aware of and comply with the guidelines, avoid personal decisions and take measures based on strong clinical evidence. The proper use of these medications, in addition to greater therapeutic success, decreases the possibility of the appearance of resistant microorganisms.

The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of liposomal ropivacaine after dental anesthesia in 14 healthy volunteers. In this randomized, double-blind and crossover study, the volunteers received maxillary infiltration of liposome-encapsulated 0.5% ropivacaine and, 0.5% ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine in two different sessions. Blood samples were collected before and after (from 15 to 1440 min) the administration of either ropivacaine formulation. HPLC with UV detection was used to quantify plasma ropivacaine concentrations. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC0-24 (area under the plasma concentration × time curve from baseline to 24 h), AUC0-∞ (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from baseline to infinity), Cmax (maximum drug concentration), CL (renal clearance), Tmax (maximum drug concentration time), t1/2 (elimination half-life) and Vd (volume of distribution) were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between both formulations for any of the pharmacokinetic parameters evaluated and plasma ropivacaine concentrations, considering each period of time. Both formulations showed similar pharmacokinetic profiles, indicating that the liposomal formulation could be a safer option for use of this local anesthetic, due to the absence of a vasoconstrictor.